YAKIMA, Wash. -- Like most people who begin a new job, Elaine Beraza spent Wednesday arranging her work space, locating the refrigerator and setting up her e-mail account.

But in the days and weeks ahead, the Yakima School District's new superintendent said she will focus on meeting people who know the district best.

"The most important thing I can do now is to be a learner," said Beraza, 61. "I need to learn as much as possible about the school system and the culture. It's important that I seek to under-stand."

Beraza, from Peachtree City, Ga., is replacing Ben Soria, who retired Tuesday after leading the district for nine years. She was named his successor in March, chosen ahead of two other finalists. Her base salary is $173,929.

Before coming to Yakima, Beraza served eight years as director of the Department of Defense Domestic Elementary and Secondary schools in Peachtree City. She oversaw roughly 25,000 students in 65 schools in seven states, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The Yakima School District has more than 14,000 students and 26 schools. Its annual budget is about $157.5 million.

First and foremost, Beraza said she's intent on learning all she can about the district's needs.

"Having the students not in session now is a good time to do that," she said. "I need to assimilate and start putting the pieces together. I want to work with people to figure out the best way forward."

Beraza said she's only met warm and welcoming people since arriving in Yakima. She's found her bank and post office, and she plans to make an offer on a house.

"That's been a journey," she said. "Sometimes you can't find everything in one house. I couldn't yank the lawn from one house and put it at another house."

Beraza is the first woman to serve as superintendent for Yakima public schools, according to several local historians. She is married and has five grown children and numerous grandchildren.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.